aortic sinus aneurysm; sinus of Valsalva aneurysm; aortic sinus fistula

Etiology

• congenital cardiac defect
• acquired forms
  • Marfan syndrome
  • syphilitic aortitis
  • aging

Epidemiology

• congenital form is rare

Diagnostic procedures

• transesophageal echocardiography

Complications

• rupture may result in
  • acute heart failure
  • fistula formation
• unruptured aneurysms may cause obstruction of flow through the aortic valve
• dissection of the aneurysm may occur, causing obstruction or destruction of local structures

Management

• elective surgery
• urgent surgery for ruptured aneurysm

More general terms

• vascular aneurysm
• heart disease (cardiac disease)

Additional terms

• aortic sinus (of Valsalva)